Figure 6.

Copper-induced cell death via copper chelators and ionophores. Copper chelators enter the mitochondrial matrix to remove excess Cu⁺ from the cell. Chelators deplete intracellular Cu⁺ levels, inducing a state of copper deficiency. In contrast, copper ionophores enter the mitochondrial matrix with Cu²⁺, causing copper accumulation. Both processes of copper deficiency and accumulation lead to copper-induced cell death.